History and Culture

The Huichol (wee-CHOLE), known as huicholes in Spanish, and as Wixaritari in their own language, are recognized as one of the Mexican native cultures most resilient to outside influences. Unlike most other Indians, they did not allow Catholic priests to perform mass within the three main communities in the Huichol mountains, except sometimes on Huichol terms just before Easter, and in one community, at a couple of boarding schools.

The Huichol or Wixárika people are one of the 68 original populations that make up the multicultural nation called Mexico. Various foreign and Mexican researchers have considered the Huichol or Wixaritári an artist society. At the beginning they made ritual and utilitarian objects of great plastic beauty, which during the last 70 years have not ceased to have these functions. However, currently they have also undergone a commercialization process.